The Louisiana Supreme Court imposed a suspension on Judge Donald 'Chick' Foret of the 24th Judicial District Court in Jefferson Parish on Oct. 15, following recommendations from the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana. The disciplinary action addresses allegations of inappropriate judicial conduct and ethical violations during his tenure on the bench.
Judge Foret was elected to Division H of the 24th Judicial District Court for Jefferson Parish in November 2020 and took office on Jan. 4, 2021. According to the Supreme Court opinion authored by Justice Guidry, the Judiciary Commission received two complaints and a media report that prompted investigations into Foret's conduct after he had been on the bench for just over a year.
The first investigation centered on an anonymous complaint filed in May 2022 regarding Judge Foret's behavior during a second-degree murder trial held in March 2022. The case, State v. Monterroso, was initially scheduled to last five days but concluded testimony by the end of the third day when both sides rested their cases.
During the proceedings, Assistant District Attorney Kellie Rish requested a table to publish evidence to the jury. This request reportedly angered Judge Foret, who loudly voiced his disapproval to ADA Rish for not requesting the table in advance. The judge also directed his frustration toward his minute clerk, Jessica Tuminello, who became visibly upset by the outburst and immediately left the courtroom.
The incident highlights concerns about appropriate judicial temperament and courtroom decorum. Judges are expected to maintain professional composure and treat all courtroom participants with respect, regardless of procedural issues or scheduling complications that may arise during proceedings.
After a table was delivered to the courtroom and evidence was published to the jury, Judge Foret dismissed the jurors for the day and instructed them to return at 9 a.m. the following morning for closing arguments. The Supreme Court opinion indicates that the murder victim's family was affected by these proceedings, though the full details of their involvement are not specified in the available portion of the decision.
The Judiciary Commission of Louisiana, which oversees judicial conduct and ethics in the state, recommended disciplinary action against Judge Foret based on their investigation findings. The Commission determined that Judge Foret exhibited inappropriate judicial demeanor during the murder trial proceedings and failed to maintain the professional standards expected of his position.
Additionally, the Supreme Court opinion references Judge Foret's failure to self-recuse in a case where he should have removed himself due to a conflict of interest. Self-recusal is a critical ethical obligation for judges when they have personal, financial, or other interests that could compromise their impartiality in a case. The specific details of this recusal failure are not elaborated in the available excerpt of the court's decision.
The Louisiana Supreme Court's decision to impose a suspension demonstrates the judiciary's commitment to maintaining ethical standards and public confidence in the court system. Judicial discipline serves both as accountability for individual judges and as a deterrent to ensure all members of the judiciary understand their professional obligations.
Judicial misconduct cases in Louisiana are handled through a formal process involving the Judiciary Commission, which investigates complaints and makes recommendations to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court then reviews these recommendations and determines appropriate disciplinary measures, which can range from reprimands to removal from office.
The timing of these complaints, coming just over a year after Judge Foret took office, raises questions about judicial training and preparation for new judges entering the bench. The transition from legal practice to the judiciary requires adaptation to new ethical obligations and behavioral standards that govern courtroom conduct.
This case also underscores the importance of maintaining professional relationships with court staff and attorneys who appear before the bench. The minute clerk's visible distress and departure from the courtroom during Judge Foret's outburst illustrates how inappropriate judicial behavior can disrupt court proceedings and affect all participants in the judicial process.
The suspension of Judge Foret will likely impact the operations of Division H of the 24th Judicial District Court, requiring administrative adjustments to handle pending cases and maintain court schedules. The Jefferson Parish court system will need to implement temporary measures to ensure continued judicial services during the suspension period.
While the full extent of Judge Foret's suspension and its specific terms are referenced in the complete Supreme Court opinion, the disciplinary action sends a clear message about the Louisiana Supreme Court's expectations for judicial conduct and its willingness to enforce ethical standards throughout the state's court system.